Delhi – Jaipur – Amber Fort – Ranthambhore – Agra – Fatehpur Sikri – Gwalior – Orchha – Khajuraho – Varanasi- Kathmandu –Delhi  

14 nights/15 days

Day 01            Arrive Delhi

Today Arrive Delhi, The Capital of India. You are greeted with a traditional Indian Welcome and escorted transfer to hotel.

Delhi stands as the capital of Modern India. Here you can see the mingling of the Old and New India, the ancient and the modern.  Delhi is made up of seven ancient cities, spanning the period from the 11th to 20th centuries. Very few cities in the world can express such a profusion of architectural styles  

Day 02                  New & Old Delhi

Today visit to New Delhi - Lateens designed an "Imperial City" having palatial-sized buildings set amid broad tree-lined avenues punctuated by Mughal style gardens, complete with fountains and shallow pools. Visit to monuments from Delhi's past - Humayun’s Tomb and Qutub Minar, Louts Temple, Drive pass through the Raisina Hill, past the imposing India Gate, President House and Parliament House.

Old Delhi - was an ancient walled city. Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in 1650 switched the Mughal capital from Agra to Delhi. Here you will view Red Fort, the most Opulent Fort and Palace of the Mughal Empire. Also visit Raj Ghat, the memorial site of the Mahatma Gandhi; Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India;

Evening return to the Red Fort to watch the “Son et Lumire” show which is an Interplay of colorful lights and sound tracing the history of monument till date. Overnight stay  

Day 03            Delhi - Mandawa 260 kms / 4 -½ hrs

Morning drive to Mandawa (Shekhawati).The semi-desert region of Shekhawati is popularly known as the 'open-air art gallery' of Rajasthan. The region lies the triangular area between Delhi, Jaipur and Bikaner and includes Jhunjhunu, Sikar and Churu districts of Rajasthan, Shekhawati, is unique as no-where else in the world there is such a hundreds of haveli's, temples, cenotaphs, wells and forts. upon arrival Check-in hotel. Later visit to Havelies in Mandawa notably the Chokhani Saraf & Ladia Havelies, also visit Temples. The terrace of the rugged Fort provides a panoramic view of the town. See the extraordinary frescoes on the walls of the houses and medieval painting of Shekhawati. Overnight stay.

Day 04      Mandawa - Jaipur 170 kms / 3-½ hrs

Morning countryside drive to Jaipur. Upon arrival check in Hotel. Afternoon visit to Maharaja’s City Palace - where you can see an imposing blend of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal Art. The museum is resplendent with its collection of robes of royal princes, carpets, an armory of old weapons, miniature paintings portraying court scenes, battle scenes and processions, Jantar Mantar (an accurate observatory built in 1726 A.D.), Birla White Marble temple and Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) - a five storied wonder with a spectacular pyramidal facade and overhanging windows with latticed screens, domes and spires. Overnight stay                 

Day 05      Jaipur- Ranthambhore National Park 175 kms /3-½ hrs

This morning’s exciting tour takes us outside Jaipur to the Amber Palace, former capital of Rajput kingdom. Perched on a hillside in the desert, the grandeur of the palace and its fort recall the glory of an older age. We step back in time ourselves as we are transported up the hill to the palace on brightly caparisoned elephants Inside we find lavish courtyards beautifully decorated halls, and a lovely Chamber of Mirrors. Our sightseeing in Jaipur also includes the city palace with its fabulous displays of miniature paintings, howdahs, and traditional Rajasthani royal costumes: the 18th-century Observatory and the lovely Palace of Winds. Drive to Ranthambhore. Upon arrival check in Hotel.

Day 06     Ranthambhore - Agra 294 kms / 7 hrs
                 
Morning 3 hrs. Canter drive for Game viewing deep into the Jungle to see the Tiger and Leopard, the main predators found in this reserve. Hyena & Jakal are the Scavengers. Sloth Bear and Wild Bear are the main carnivores. The main herbivores found in this Park are Spotted Deer, Sambhar Deer, Nilgai (Bluebell) antelope, Chinkara (Indian gazelle) and the common langur. Breakfast at hotel. Later continue countryside drive to Agra through the Rajasthani villages, we see woman dressed in the brilliantly colored saris of the region, Camels, Elephants & scenes of rural lives.
                 
En route visit the Ghostly deserted red sandstone city of Fatehpur Sikri, built in 1569 by the Great Emperor Akbar. Today it is deserted & left in solitude to reminisce over its past glory. As you drive through the city witness the local life and bazaars (markets) and the hustle bustle of everyday India. Overnight stay Overnight stay.

Day 07     Mughal city Agra

 This morning visit to the Taj Mahal - Monument to Love which was built in 1630 by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1631, and is believed to have taken 18 years to complete, with over 20,000 craftsmen working around the clock. The design and construction is said to be that of the legendary architect, Ustad Ahamad Lahori. What makes the Taj Mahal unique is its perfect proportions, distinct femininity, medium of construction and ornamentation.  Its marble exterior reflects rose and golden tints at sunrise and sunset, while it is dazzling white during the day. It is impossible to visualize the Taj Mahal in any surrounding others than its paradoxical garden. Paradise, in Islam, is visualized as a lush garden where running streams flow. Also visit the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah and Agra Fort.

Day 08      Agra–Gwalior 120 Kms / 2 hrs

After breakfast drive to Gwalior – is a city with a dramatic, colorful history that goes back over a millennia. It’s legendary beginning stems from a meeting between a warrior called Suraj Sen and a hermit, Gwalipa, who lived on the hilltop where the fort stands. Today visit to Gwalior fort- the imposing Gwalior fort, built by Raja Mansingh Tomar dominates the city. The fort hill rises to 100 mtrs to 200 mtrs with solid fort walls which surround almost the entire hilltop, Sas Bahu Temple, Karan Mahal, Gujri Mahal, Tan Sen Tomb & Jai Vilas Palace & Museum – a splendor of different kind exists in the Jai Vilas Palace has been turned into the Jivaji Rao Scindia Museum. Jai Vilas is an Italianate structure which combines the tuscan and Corinthian architectural modes. Overnight stay.

Day 09    Gwalior- Orchha 120 Kms / 2 hrs

After breakfast drive to Orccha. Orchha- A medieval city founded by Bundels rulers with palaces and temples of 16th & 17th Century. Upon arrival check in Hotel. Later sightseeing of Orccha includes Jehangir Mahal, Raj Mahal, Praveen Rai Mahal, Lakshmi Narayan, Chaturbuj and Ram Raj temples.  Overnight stay.

Day 10    Orchha- Khajuraho 160 Kms / 3-½ hrs

After breakfast drive to Khajuraho. Upon arrival check in Hotel. Later visit the eastern group of temples of Khajuraho that consists of the Parasvanath Temple, which is the only Jain temple at Khajuraho and has excellent sculptures on the outer walls of the sanctum. Also visit the Javeri temple dedicated to Vishnu.  Overnight stay.

Day 11   Khajuraho-Varanasi

After breakfast visit to renowned Khajuraho group of temples with many dedicated to god and goddesses from Hindu Mythology. View the world famous Chandela temples where forthright sculptures celebrate the Joy of life and love for which there is no equivalent in the world.

Afternoon board the flight for Varanasi. Arrive Varanasi and check in Hotel. Later return excursion to Sarnath, the sight of Buddha’s first sermon. Evening See “aarti” Ceremony on the River Ganges & Stroll along the narrow lanes and bazaars full of shops selling, among other things, the world-famous Banaras Silks. Overnight stay.

Day 12    Varanasi – Kathmandu

Early Morning Visit some of the Hindu Temples that line the river Ganges & Boat excursion on the Holy River Ganges to see the Bathing Ghats and crimination sites. Watching people bathing and worshiping at the Ghats is one of the most extraordinary experiences of a visit to India. Later transfer to airport to board the flight. Arrive Kathmandu - The unique and fascinating capital of the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal. Upon arrival check in hotel. Reminder of the day is at leisure. Overnight stay.

Day 13     Kathmandu

Morning excursion to Bodhnath, Pashupatinath & Bhadgaon. Afternoon visit to Patan, the second largest city in the valley, also known as Lalitpur. Stop at the Tibetan Refugee Craft Centre. Also visit the imposing 2000 years old stupa at Swayambhunath, majestically set high on a hill overlooking the valley. Overnight stay.

Day 14    Kathmandu

After breakfast Sightseeing tour of the city visiting the central Durbar Square to see fine examples of Nepalese architecture in Kathmandu’s palaces and pagodas. Later explore colourful bazaar for the last minute shopping. Overnight stay.

Day 15    Kathmandu – Delhi – Onward

After breakfast pack your luggage and say goodbye to this fascinating land and transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport to board the flight for Delhi. Upon arrival take the flight for onward.